Trio Highlights Philharmonic Concert

Folks certainly got their money`s worth on Tuesday evening at Dade County Auditorium, where the Concert Association of Greater Miami presented the Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio.

Instead of the usual chamber-music program, the noted ensemble was showcased with the Philharmonic Orchestra of Florida, allowing for solo turns, before combining to tackle Beethoven`s Triple Concerto. And to keep things cozy, violinist Jaime Laredo doubled as conductor throughout.

The results were never less than interesting. Laredo commenced with an elegant, even delicate account of Bach`s A minor Violin Concerto, BWV 1041. The sweetness of his tone and the smoothness of his phrasing were admirable, but the net effect was not exactly arresting. And the Philharmonic strings weren`t always fully cohesive. Perhaps more rehearsal would have done the trick.

Cellist Sharon Robinson took the spotlight for Tchaikovsky`s Variations on a Rococo Theme. I will not pretend to be fond of the piece; it never fails to bore me, even with as sympathetic a soloist as Robinson. She certainly gave it loving attention; if her tone could have been riper in places, her sensitivity to the score`s gentlest nuances was remarkable.

Laredo (Robinson`s husband, incidentally) presided over the Philharmonic efficiently enough, although there was something tentative about his work, as well as the orchestra`s response.

The turning point came with Mendelssohn`s G minor Piano Concerto. Joseph Kalichstein charged boldly into the music as if it were by Schumann or Brahms -- precisely the approach it should have. The pianist might have used more rubato here and there, but that`s a minor point. He displayed a keen sense of dynamic contrasts and, above all, of expressive underlining. His energy and flair were matched by Laredo and the orchestra, which was in vibrant form.

There are many items in the repertoire, from the Baroque era to the present, that don`t really need a conductor, at least not during a performance. I never thought of the Beethoven Triple as one before, but it worked out reasonably well on this occasion.

Laredo, who has gained considerable conducting experience over the years (his recordings with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra have been particularly successful) seemed to have made his intentions clear in advance. He would have had to -- Beethoven did not allow much time here for a violinist to cue an orchestra.

Although Laredo let some details slip and coordination occasionally lacked precision, the performance had character and commitment going for it. Tempos were sufficiently propulsive in the outer movements to disguise much of the composer`s unusual lack of imagination, and Laredo`s emphasis on brass and timpani attacks was quite effective.

The soloists handled their assignments with brio, technical poise and, in the poetic Largo, abundant taste. All things considered, the Philharmonic did much the same.

KALICHSTEIN-LAREDO-ROBINSON TRIO

With the Philharmonic Orchestra of Florida. Tuesday evening at Dade County Auditorium.